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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN A. SMITH, JR, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

STAPLE-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 342,471, dated May 25, 1886.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN A. SMITH, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Ithode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Staple-Fasteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andcxact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of ref erence marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. 1

This invention relates to an improvement in stapled'asteiiers; and it consists, essentially, of a staple made from wire, the inner or loop portion of the staple in cross-section being of the same form or configuration as the wire from which the staple is made, the legs of the staple being thinned to a uniform thickness, forming shoulders on each side of the legs, said legs being pointed at the ends, all as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the wire blank from which my improved staple is made; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a side view of the staple as bent to form complete and ready for use. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views of my improved staple, showing the forms of wire used.

In carrying out my invention the staple A is made from wire-round or half-round wire being preferred. The central portion, 1, of the wire blank is left in its normal condition, its form or configuration in cross-section being unchanged. The free ends of thewire are thin rated to a uniform thickness, forming the legs 2 2 and shoulders 3 8 on each side of the legs, said shoulders being formed by the abrupt termination of the thinned portion. Theends of said legs are pointed to readily penetrate the material to which the staple may be secured, as fully shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The wire blank being formed as described, is then bent at its center or doubled upon itself into the form of a staple, the legs 2 2 standing parallel with each other, in the present instance with their flat surfaces adjacent, the crown of the staple being arched, as fully shown in Fig. 3. The staple may be formed, if desired, with the flat surfaces of the legs on a line with each other, instead of adjacent, as herein shown, and for some uses this may be desirable, the shoulders in either case graduating the depth of the loop portion, said shoulders being formed a greater or less distance from the ends, as may be required.

The views in Figs. 4c and 5 show the staples as made from round and hal fround wire, these forms being the most preferred, as being more easily manipulated. Other forms of wire, however, may be used, if desired, the main object being to leave the wire at the central portion of the staple unchanged, and to thin to a uniform thickness the legs of the staple, and

thereby form shoulders on said legs to graduate the length of the inner or loop portion" of the staple.

My improved staple is admirably adapted for any of the various uses for which a staplefastener is employed, being easily and cheaply made and readily secured to any material.

I claim p I. A staple made from wire, consisting of an inner or loop portion of the same form in crosssection as the wire from which the staple is made, having two pendent legs thinned to a uniform thickness and pointed at the ends, said legs being provided with shoulders formed by the abrupt termination of the thinned portion, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The staple A, formed from wire, comprising the inner or loop portion, 1, and legs 2 2, provided with shoulders 3 3, constructed for use, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofl affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANKLIN A. SMITH, JR.

Witnesses:

J. O. F. DICK, GHA RLES GREENE. 

